Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-10-25
'rsss and 1akptaian
A BREAK AMONG KNIGHTS

A BREAK AMONG KNIGHTS
A PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE PRO-
CLAIMS SECESSION
An Arraisnment OF tho Onicers for Al
legged Prostitution OF the order-Ths
Circular of Grievances and the lnitl-
atory of Reorganization.
CHICAGO, Oct, 24.-war has been de-
upon the general executise Soard
of the Knights of Labor by certain dis.
senters from the action taken at the Min
ntapolis convention. In returning from
the convention, about thirty five of the
dissenting delegates stopped In Chicago,
fully discussed the situation. and deter
mined TO bring about a reorganization Of
the order. T this end a provisional
conmitteeof Ave members was appointed,
with CHARLES Seth as secretary. This
committee held several meetings to form
a plan of action, and finally decided
to publish the following manifesto:
Headquarters Provisional COMMITTEES,
Chas. +. seib Secretary,
$50 East Washington Street, Chicago, III.
cIRoITIAR q /.
CHICAGO, Oct. 24.-To the rank and file
Of the order Of the Knights OF Labor: In
idisnant at the usurpation OF power, the
gross violation Of the laws ~ orr ordar
~ 49,. ht.h - I,
"uy, uSVea
wlrn Ihose whose loyalty to the present
ring has been gained by the pickings they
receive M a reward for their servicaa. IN.
"a :. ~
nss1 -. sns .aWnias eycopnahcs VINO
ciaWio On phelr khSes y siavlsh suomis-
sion 70 the most corrupt, the most hypo-
critical, the most autocratic, and tyran-
nical clique that has ever controlled
any labor organization; we therefore
affirm the MOTTO Of our. order that stwhen
bad men combine, the good must asso-
ciate, else they fall, y an united sacrifice
In a contemptibie struggle. We assert the
hour has come when. as honest men and
women, we must declare ourselves inde-
pendent OF. those who have abused the
confidence reposed in them by our order.
Our duty to the working men and women
demands that we at once ~reorganixe the
knights OF Labor on a basis which viii
secure the autonomy of the trades and
the sovereignty OF the districts, in all
pertaining to their trade and local affairs,
IA TO prevent IL from being used in the
fntiIre as a machine to fill tho Golfers OF
designing and INSCRIPTIONS men, as it IL
by those, now in power. We affirm the
Following To be the reasons that have
compelled this serious action on our part;
The general Office has become q lux
uriois haunt of men whose chief aim Is
to benefit self, p~ecuniarily aud otherwise,
and Is no longer the Jerusalem OF the
humble and honest knight
Second--There has been for more than
a year t~beginning prior to the Richmond
SESSION. an understanding, which, for
lack OF q better word, we call q conspir-
acy, fora the purpose Of holding the
salaried positions, elective and appoint
I've, IN and under the general assembly.
This conspiracy has used the secret chan
nsls, and the funds of the order, to man
ufactnrc sentiment for certain members
and8against others.
hird-sCerta persons, sometimes
called general lecturers, y ~t.genera, or
ganizers, general instructors.n and
general many other things. have beer
paid extra,sapant sums. both IA wage,
and exp nses, when their only work wa,
TO 's6.sx', certain districts. che obbyist,
Of railroad corporations would t,rn oreer
with envy did they know the snnarlatiyt
excellency attained by those blood
suckers Of the Knights of Labor.
Fourth - Organizers, comInission,
have been refused to members who wer,
known to disagree with the methods 4
the ring, though the applications wers
endorsed by the district assembly /,
which the applicant belonged. and com
missions were recalled because of III,
refusal OF the holders to fall down and
worship the powers that be.
Fifth-District and local assemblie,
have been suspended, or expelled. an
deprived of u voice in the general assem-
bly,, because they were known aa oppo
nents of the policy of the ccnspirators.
Sixth-Conspiracies have been hatche,
against dissenting members by the mid a
corrupt tools in the district assembly. q
local assembly, or both, OF such mem
beers.
S~eventh--The records: OF the genera
Office have bsen fixed and doctored so a
to rule ont, or admit, as the case migh
be, general assembly representatives.
Eighth-Men nave been allowed a
delegates to the constitutional right /
seats. while Others we've raf,,sed mn,
technicalities contrary 10 president an,
established customs. In all cases til
test was for or against the ring.
Ninth (a)-Many thousands Of dollar
Of the orders funds have been tllegalli
expended, frequently against the earnes
protests Of honest and law-abidino Nom
bers.
{b}-ExtrayaRant hotel bills coutracta,